Christmas Spirit

I've been waiting and waiting to catch a bit of the Christmas spirit, but unfortunately, I haven't really gotten in the mood.  I wanted to visit the Christmas markets while in Italy, and did, but didn't quite get it there.  I went out today to browse a few of the markets in Dublin, but never found the joy of Christmas in any of the places I went here either.  I'm beginning to think it's just me, and in an effort to fix that, I've got Bing Crosby's Christmas album playing on YouTube and I'm writing this very Christmas-y blog!

I started the day at the Christchurch Cathedral Christmas Market.  This was nice because the market is held in the crypt and while you can see this on any tour of the church, it was much more festive as the stalls were set up all through the corridors.  It's small though, so there weren't too many gift options.  I think I spent a total of 5 minutes here before heading back out to the street. 

I then walked through Cow's Lane, which holds a market every Saturday.  There were several little stalls of jewelry, clothes, and crafts.  I overheard one artisan speaking with some girls from Boston about how he'd soon be in the states selling his works on QVC.  How funny.  I found a very cool stall of glass jewelery that I debated buying for T'Lene.  Another woman had jewelery that she had made out of lava rocks and other gems.  Her pieces were really neat.  I walked into a shop just off Cow's Lane and got a cute little statue for my neighbor Josh's Christmas present.  It's a little "man" made of steel bits such as screws.  The little statue is of a weightlifter.  This is perfect as Josh has been the one exercising out my window the whole time I've lived in Dublin...he takes good care of himself while I sit in my flat having a glass of wine and cookies! 

I walked down the River Liffey and ran up to Penny's which is a cheap clothing and home store that I hate going in because it's always busy, but I had to get some leggings today and so I braved the madness within.  I had to encourage myself the whole way in and out because of the claustrophobic attack that seemed inevitable, but I managed. 

After the madness of Penny's I walked down to the Docklands Christmas Market which really was a nice set-up.  Kids especially would enjoy the market I think.  They had a good many booths with crafts, etc and of course carousels and other kid friendly fun.  There were a few food trucks with crepes, sausages which smelled amazing, coffees, etc.  There was a choir on a small stage singing but they weren't really on key and none of the music I heard was actually Christmas music, which I found interesting. 

I left the market there feeling a little disappointed, but got a kick out of what happened next.  Just as I was thinking to myself how great Christmas in Charleston is and missing decorating my house etc, I saw a parade of motorcycles coming my way and would you believe none other than Santa Clause himself was riding by!  A huge smile swept across my face.  So what if I saw pink bunnies on Westmorland Street today?  So what if there was a parade/protest with Bob Marley music blaring on O'Connell bridge this afternoon?  It doesn't matter..."it's Ireland!"  It's Ireland and it's Christmas time.  The lights are up on Grafton, the trees are decorated in my neighbor's windows.  It's Christmas and I have one week left in this city.  I plan to enjoy it, and I'm happy to announce, I finally feel like Christmas!